Spring Cleaning Checklist

Posted: May 3, 2018 by Andy

Now that winter has finally ended here in Ohio, we can look forward to warmer and longer days. Spring is the season of open windows, fresh, warm breezes, and
mild weather that requires only a light sweater at most when heading outside.

However, when the warm spring sun starts shining into your home, dust on untouched surfaces becomes more noticeable. With your windows and doors closed
tight all winter, dust and dirt settle in your home with no way to escape.

When the trees outside start growing new leaves, it's the perfect time to make your inside world as fresh and renewed as the outside world. Throw those windows
open, let the stuffy air from winter waft out to be replaced with fresh, clean air, and get down to giving your home a thorough spring cleaning.

The origin of spring cleaning

The practice of spring cleaning started very long ago before homes had electricity. During the winter months, coal and wood were burned to provide
heat, which left a layer of soot behind on most surfaces. When doors could finally be opened without wasting valuable heat, all of that accumulated dirt
could finally be swept out.

Fortunately, today we have modern heating systems to keep our homes cozy when the temperature dips. Even so, the need for spring cleaning remains an annual
task, and springtime relaxation is much more pleasant in a clean, clutter-free home.

Start spring cleaning

Ready to get started on your spring cleaning project? Follow our checklist to tackle the mess and whip your home into spic-and-span shape so you can enjoy the
warm months to come. These are just cleaning basics to help get you started, and once you've tackled them you may find that you want to clean other spaces - like
the garage, patio, or finally digging into those cluttered closets in desperate need of organization.

☑ Dust everything

Arguably the best place to start is dusting, as it tends to cast debris onto the floor, where it can be scooped up by the vacuum later. When dusting, you can use
anything from an old sock to something like a Swiffer that is designed specifically for removing dust. Whatever you choose, make sure that you methodically wipe down
every surface in your home - mantles, dressers, televisions and their stands, lamps - even the tops of photo frames.

Once everything has had a thorough wipe-down, it's also wise to dust lower areas like baseboards or underneath the furniture. Dust has an annoying tendency to
get into all sorts of tight spaces. Remember also that regular dusting helps ensure that the inside air you breathe stays fresh and free of allergens.

☑ Vacuum your carpet

Once you've completed dusting your home's exposed surfaces, it's time to start on your flooring. You're most likely doing this year-round, but spring is the
ideal time to make sure you get into all the spots you might not otherwise bother with.

If you have any rugs, take them outside and give them a vigorous shaking-out. This will knock loose any dirt that your vacuum may not have been able to get,
and while they're off the floor, you can clean underneath where the rug usually rests.

☑ Mop your floors

For homes with hardwood, laminate or vinyl floors, a mop or wood surface-specific cleaner will usually do the trick. This can be a multi-step
process, as some wood floor cleaning systems use different types of pads. To start, use the dusting pad to pick up any larger debris. The pad's long fibers
will allow dirt cling to it without smearing the dust and dirt across your floor. Next, use the microfiber cleaning pad and a floor solution to get rid of
smears and smudges. When you're done, your floors will shine, and you can walk around your home barefoot without worrying about having dirty feet.

☑ Clean behind your furniture

If you haven't already moved your furniture to get to those hard-to-reach spots, now is the time. While the areas behind your furniture don't see any use or
traffic, they still collect a surprising amount of dust. Also, even though you can't see the dirt back there, give yourself the peace of mind that your home is
spotless from end to end by getting underneath and behind any furniture. As with dusting your exposed surfaces, dusting behind your furniture helps ensure that
the inside air you breathe stays as fresh and allergen-free as it can be.

☑ Wash your windows inside and out

Let that spring light really shine through by giving your windows a thorough washing and then a finishing wipe-down with Windex or another similar glass
cleaner. After a winter full of snowy days spent indoors, your windows are probably covered in dirt, smudges, and water spots. Clean windows will make your
rooms feel brighter, and will also give an airier feel to your living space.

☑Scrub your bathroom

While bathrooms aren't usually prone to dust and dirt from outside, they still see a great deal of use. This means that soap scum builds up in the tub, residue
accumulates on tile grout, and remnants of toothpaste get left on the sink. Spend some quality time in your bathroom by giving it a good cleaning. This way,
no matter which room you're in, everything will feel fresh and ready for spring.

☑Clean your vents and replace your filter

All winter long, your vents deliver warm air into your home to keep you comfortable. Over time, your furnace filter traps layers of dirt, and your ducts
themselves can accumulate dust, which is ready to be tossed back out into your newly-cleaned home.

Don't give that dust a chance - clean your air vents and replace your air filter! Depending on the complexity of your heating and cooling system, it may
be easier to hire the pros to clean your air ducts. A professional cleaning will ensure that your system runs as efficiently as possible as well.

Hop to it!

Spring is when we all begin enjoying the outdoors once again, and by following this guide, you'll love being in your home when you finally do head back
indoors. Every surface will be clear of dust and you'll be starting with a clean slate, making it much easier to keep things clean all spring and summer long.

About Our Blog

Containing the most current and easy-to-read expert information in the world of heating and cooling, our blog is intended to help you stay "in the know" and make the best decisions when it comes to keeping your
home and family comfortable and your HVAC system trouble-free. That's how neighbors should treat neighbors!™

Recent Posts

Tags

Why Choose Hey Neighbor?

We're committed to providing fast friendly emergency service 24 hours a day 7 days a week for residential heating and air conditioning systems in Wooster, Millersburg and the surrounding areas.

Our 24-hour emergency on-call service means you'll never have to go through another cold winter night or a hot, humid summer day. We service residents of Wayne and Holmes counties with no after-hours or overtime fees, so you'll never have to worry about paying extra because your furnace or air conditioner decided it wanted to quit on the weekend or a holiday!

Our service trucks are ready for your emergency after-hours service call with over 5000 stocked parts so you don't have to wait for us to chase down the parts you need.

Expert Local Service

We'll keep your Wayne County furnace running smoothly, and we service gas and electric heaters, heat pumps, ductless mini-split
systems and more. Our local, licensed, friendly HVAC technicians drive fully-stocked service vans so when we troubleshoot your
Holmes County HVAC system and find a faulty part, we can replace it right then! Whatever you need in the area of heating and
cooling repair in Wooster, Millersburg, and the surrounding areas, we've got you covered!

Whether you're a homeowner in Rittman who's in the market for a new, high-efficiency furnace, a mobile home owner in Shreve who's
tired of baking in the summertime or you're a property manager in Dalton looking to replace old, temperamental air conditioning
systems in apartments with new reliable units, our experience enables us to quickly and accurately assess your HVAC needs.
You'll get the new furnace install and central air conditioning upgrade that's right for you.

While we don't mind visiting your home for a dead-of-winter breakdown (it's what we do), we want to help you avoid that unfortunate
situation altogether. That's why we offer affordable Wayne and Holmes County seasonal HVAC maintenance to reduce the future need
for heating and cooling repairs. Our thorough inspections catch little problems before they become big ones. An annual HVAC tune-up
by one of our expert techs saves you money, time, and stress!